Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Kultur-, Sozial- und Bildungswissenschaftliche Fakultät - Institut für Asien- und Afrikawissenschaften

Philippine Studies Series Berlin: Discussion on the Bangsamoro peace process

  • Wann 02.02.2015 von 18:00 bis 20:00
  • Wo Invalidenstraße 118, Room 315
  • iCal
The Philippine Studies Series Berlin's will hold its third lecture of the year, and the fourth in the Series that started in late December 2014.

We are inviting you to a discussion on the Bangsamoro peace process on February 2, Monday, at 6:00PM at the Humboldt University Institute of Asian and African Studies, Invalidenstrasse 118, Room 315 (in the hinterhof of the NOKIA and DM building). Guiamel Alim, Moro civil society leader, will discuss civil society organizations' perspectives on the peace process. 
 
This lecture is even more urgent now with the  Mamasapano incident. The clash last Sunday between Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and the Philippine National Police's US-trained Special Action Force (SAF) resulted in the death of over 40 SAF and the displacement of thousands of Muslim families. This has resulted in a backlash against the Bangsamoro peace talks, against Muslims in the Philippines in general, and calls for all-out war. Such calls have been made in the absence of an impartial investigation on the matter and knowledge of the peace process. This incident shows the diverse security issues in southern Philippines and the complex make-up of the conflict.
 
Guiamel Alim can shed light on the implications of this event on the ongoing peace process as he and his organizations have been active in the peace building efforts in the south for many years. He is the executive director of the Kadtuntaya Foundation, a non-stock and non-government organization catering to the socio-economic needs of Moro communities in some parts of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Central Mindanao. He is also the chairperson of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), an advocacy organization which promotes unity and cooperation among Moro civil society organizations towards effective peace and development advocacy, human rights and social justice, and sound governance. The CBCS is now involved in the on-going peace talks with the MILF and the GRP as a process observer. It was able to facilitate communications between the GRP and the MILF during the height of the war in February 2003 which had contributed to the eventual cessation of hostilities and the holding of the informal peace talks in July. 
 
Guiamel Alim will be accompanied by Dr. Elma Neyra, vice president of the Southern Christian College Center for Extension, Research, and Advocacy in Midsayap, North Cotabato. Dr. Neyra and the SCC-CEREA had also been active in peace building efforts in the region. 
 
The Philippine Studies Series Berlin, inspired by the Philippine Studies Series created by Dada Brina Docot and Edsel Yu Chua at the University of British Columbia, aims to start a conversation about the Philippines and promote Philippine studies in Berlin. Scholars and artists working on the Philippines who are based in Berlin or are passing by Berlin are invited to give lectures.